Automatic fire-extinguisher



Illllllll (No Model.)

W. NERAGHER.

AUTOMATIC PIRE EXTINGUISHBR.

N0. 390,696. Patented Oct. 9, 1888.

N. PETERS. Pnnxn-Lnlwgmpner. wnshmgwn, u, c.

IlNiTnn STATES PATENT Ormea,

VILLIAM NERAOHER, OF CLEVELAND, OHIO.

AUTOMATIC F|RE=EXTINGU|SHER- SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 390,696l dated October 9, 1889.

Application filed June i6, 1887. Serial No. 241.493.

(No model.)

vand I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description of the same.

My invention is an improvement in automatic lire'extinguishers of that class in which what is called a dry-pipe7 system is used for excluding the water from the pipes in the room until the unusual or excessive heat has released the valves or sprinklers.

The invention has for its object the simplification of the releasing mechanism.

The essential features of my invention are indicated in the claims and fully described hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawing, in which the figure represents a side elevation of the releasing mechanism -with part of the pipe system in proper connection,the full lines Showing the parts in their normal position and the dotted lines the position they assume when released.

In the drawing, A represents the main supplypipe,on which arelocated sprinkler-valves Lm, as many as may be required. These may be of any suitable construction for releasing and diffusing the water whenever the heat rises above the normal or prescribed temperature. Within the main supply-pipe, at any suitable point, as a, is located a valve adapted, when closed, to shut off water from the pipe system extending throughout the room or building. To the stem of this valve is xed a lever, B, which, when the valve is closed, is preferably in a raised position, as shown. Over the end of this lever, which is pronged, is suspended a link,b,to which is attached a weight,c. The upper end of thelinl; is connected by any intermediate connection-such as a rope or chainto another link,which hooks over the short arm of a lever, J, pivoted at (Z and adapted when in a horizontal position, as shown, to sustain the weight with the link b out of contact with the lever B. The opposite end of the lever J is held in position under an offset on a swinging lever, I, pivoted at a point, e, the offset on this swinging lever preventing the rise of the lever J and the release of the controllingvalve except as hereinafter explained.

The precise construction and arrangement shown of the parts heretofore described are not material nor is the general principle of them new. The essential point in connection with this invention is that the means for automatically opening the valve should be held out of operation until the lever I is released, which is effected bythe mechanism hereinafter de scribed.

D represents a flexible diaphragm held between an upper clampingfring, f, and a lower concave plate, g, a chamber being formed between the bottom andthe diaphragm, and this chamber is in connection with the service-pipe by means of the pipe N. Across the top of the clamping-ring a rod or bar,P,extends,and to this a lever, E, is pivoted at h. This lever has a curved lower arm, which is directly above the flexible diaphragrmand when the air-pressure in the pipes expands the diaphragm it elevates the short arm of the leverE and throws the upper end to one side, as shown in full lines. and this arm carries a weight,so that when the pressure upon the diaphragm diminishes-as, for instance, when an outlet for the air is made by the fusing of the fusible connections of the sprinkler-valves, as shown at m-the pressure is removed from the lower end of the lever E and the weight then exerts its force and draws thelever into the position shown in dotted lines, for the purpose hereinafter described. On the pipe N, I place an air-pressure gage,O, at any convenient point to indicate the pressure,and I fill the service pipe with air to any degree ot' pressure by means of an ordinary air-pump connecting with the main pipe at K. Above the lever E, I arrange a segment, H, containing graduations indicating the air-pressure communicated to the lever through the dia- An arm,R,is connected tothe lever E,

phragm, and the amount of pressure may be thus ascertained by simply glancing at this segment, and may be regulated at the point of supply to insure more rapid action of the lever E, or this may be done by adj usting the weighted A IOO its lower end by the depression of the diaphragm, causes the said lever to come in contact with the lever I and carries the said lever along with it,thus freeing the end of the lever J, which will ily up under the pressure of the weight upon its opposite end. Thelink supporting the weightwillslip from thehooked end of the lewer J in its movement, and the weight will thus fall with full force, its link coming in contact with the lever B, carrying the said lever downward and opening the valve.

The full lines represent the normal or closed position of the parts, while the dotted lines represent the parts when released.

I claiml. In a dry-pipe system of lire-extinguishn ers, sprinklers connected therewith, a diaphragm stretched over an airspace con nected with the air-space in the supply-pipe, alever pivoted above said diaphragm,having a weight n pon one end and the opposite end resti ng on the diaphragm,asecond lever, I, having a dependA ing end and connections through alever, J, with a suspended weight, the first lever being held in place by the diaphragm while under pressure and adapted to strike the depending end of the second lever when the air escapes from under pressure, thus releasing the suspended Weight, and a valve having a lever adapted to be acted upon by the falling weight to turn on the water,substantially as described.

2. In combination with a lever, B, upon the valve-stem, the suspended weight supported above the same from a lever, J, a Weighted lever pivoted over a diaphragm and bearing upon it when the diaphragm is under pressure, a pivoted lever, I, having a stud in engagement with the lever J and a free end depending into the path of the weighted lever, which strikes the same to turn on the water, and a graduated segment, H, arranged to indicate the position of the weighted lever,and thereby the amount of pressure, and a supply-pipe for the air between the service pipe and diaphragm, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I have signed my naine to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

WILLIAM NERACI-IER.

Vitnesses:

LoUIs W. HIRsCHMAN, R. S. AVERY. 

